The Bangladesh cricket tour of Pakistan next month is not scheduled to last long - but it is highly significant and could rank as important as the Ashes series when the sporting review of 2013 is compiled.

It is the first visit by any country since armed militants attacked the Sri Lankan team's bus in Lahore in March 2009.

The two countries' cricket boards have been talking about this tour for a long time.

Officials have, understandably, been nervous about committing to the fixtures. Fans have been extremely impatient to get started.

The two countries will play twice: once in a 50-over match, then in a T20.

It has taken a comprehensive security assessment to allow the teams to meet, but who can be surprised?

Eight Pakistanis were killed and six Sri Lanka players wounded when a dozen gunmen fired on their coach as they were being taken to Lahore's Gaddafi stadium.

Bullet holes in the side of the Sri Lanka team bus

Former England international, Chris Broad, was the referee for the match.

He threw himself on Pakistani umpire, Ahsan Raza, as he lay bleeding on the floor of their minibus while a gun battle raged around them.

But Pakistan has changed now, according to all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

He told ESPNcricinfo in April: "The incident in Lahore was unfortunate but Pakistan has learnt its lessons. Security concerns are up on their minds but things have improved and everything will go well."

The matches were due to be played at the end of that month, but a Bangladeshi court issued a restraining order banning their team from going.

Both boards are now waiting on final instructions from the sport's world governing body to rubber stamp their plans.

With any luck the games will be no more than a footnote in the year's calendar. A brief and exciting one, but nonetheless a very important one.